Globally, most families
are undergoing transition from two-parent families to one-parent ones, giving
rise mostly to the emergence of single mother families (Kamerumau & Khan,
2011). Approximately 12 million children in the United States under the age of
18 now live with only one parent, with approximately 95% of these children
living in single mother families (Levitin, 2010).
are undergoing transition from two-parent families to one-parent ones, giving
rise mostly to the emergence of single mother families (Kamerumau & Khan,
2011). Approximately 12 million children in the United States under the age of
18 now live with only one parent, with approximately 95% of these children
living in single mother families (Levitin, 2010).
Similar patterns have
been found in sub-Saharan African countries. This is evident in the Demographic
and Health Surveys (DHS) data in some sub-Saharan African countries on
children’s living arrangements. The proportion of children living in a mother
only family differs depending on countries. For example, Nigeria (10.1%),
Uganda (16.9%), Tanzania (17.3 %), Zambia (17.8 %), South Africa (34.4%),
Namibia (27.3%), Zimbabwe (26.3%) (Nwachukwu, 2008).
been found in sub-Saharan African countries. This is evident in the Demographic
and Health Surveys (DHS) data in some sub-Saharan African countries on
children’s living arrangements. The proportion of children living in a mother
only family differs depending on countries. For example, Nigeria (10.1%),
Uganda (16.9%), Tanzania (17.3 %), Zambia (17.8 %), South Africa (34.4%),
Namibia (27.3%), Zimbabwe (26.3%) (Nwachukwu, 2008).
In countries with a high
Muslim population such as Nigeria, out of wedlock pregnancy is taboo and
pregnant adolescents are forced into marriage by their parents. However in
Southern Africa, AIDS related death and premarital childbearing may explain the
high proportion of children living in a single mother family (Odumosu, 2007).
Muslim population such as Nigeria, out of wedlock pregnancy is taboo and
pregnant adolescents are forced into marriage by their parents. However in
Southern Africa, AIDS related death and premarital childbearing may explain the
high proportion of children living in a single mother family (Odumosu, 2007).
Previous studies
hypothesized that the rise in single mother families in sub-Saharan Africa is
due to the following factors: increase in age of marriage, increased economic
opportunities for women, labour migration, lack of marriageable men (Otite &
Ogionwo, 2008) which have shown to have adverse effects on the lives of women
and children. For example, in the recent past, there has been a mass exodus of
men in most of the African countries to different parts of the world in search
for greener pasture in the process leaving their wives and children behind.
hypothesized that the rise in single mother families in sub-Saharan Africa is
due to the following factors: increase in age of marriage, increased economic
opportunities for women, labour migration, lack of marriageable men (Otite &
Ogionwo, 2008) which have shown to have adverse effects on the lives of women
and children. For example, in the recent past, there has been a mass exodus of
men in most of the African countries to different parts of the world in search
for greener pasture in the process leaving their wives and children behind.
